CHAPTER 47: CHAPTER 44: PERSUADING SURRENDER

"So, Andrew, are you really with the third miss of the Warm Fire Commerce Association?"

Sally, who seemed like a fit but inexhaustibly curious girl, looked over with interest, "Where is she now? How did you and she manage to evade our search and return to this camp? Is it really you, Andrew? You seem completely different from how I remember you. Though, admittedly, I didn’t have much of an impression of you before."

Once she started talking, she couldn’t stop, like a machine gun.

Andrew seriously suspected whether her mouth was blessed with some special magic effect!

"Alright, little Sally, there’s no need to ask all that."

It was Hubert who finally interrupted Sally’s barrage of questions, smiling, "I can already sense Barbara’s presence, no need to worry. But you, Andrew—"

The old mage looked at Andrew once again, saying with a touch of lament, "You are the first student I’ve ever misjudged. So, have you already killed Raymond? I didn’t see him at the scene, but he wouldn’t miss such an opportunity to please me."

Andrew faced Hubert, who had suddenly become all smiles, and couldn’t quite grasp what he meant.

As for killing Raymond... of course, he couldn’t admit to it!

He just shrugged, neither confirming nor denying. Meanwhile, he continued aiming.

Hubert didn’t press further, looking around: "Where’s Pete? That kid is very patient, though I’ve always noticed it. Even though he’s low-key, he also wouldn’t miss such an occasion. So, was he killed by you, Andrew, or by Miss Barbara from the tent behind you?"

Andrew’s heart raced, damn, this old guy is really sharp!

Smiling, he repeated a line he had used on another night: "Sorry, I’m not obliged to answer you, teacher."

While speaking, the Water Spirit Sensing gradually condensed from a sphere centered on himself into a pillar used to detect and lock onto Hubert’s figure.

Now, Andrew finally felt a hint of confidence in aiming accurately.

He started to feel: "It’s not impossible to aim and hit, but I must move closer. The opponent probably has some life-saving magic or magic artifact. To kill him, I must get close enough! Ideally, at zero distance, using the Long-range Water Needle big kill move!"

Others, of course, had no idea about Andrew’s hidden aiming and preparations.

In fact, although there was no open conflict at the moment, everyone present could feel the undercurrents beneath the seemingly calm surface.

Hearing Andrew’s "I’m not obliged to answer," it almost seemed like everyone was taken back to that previous night.

That night, Andrew had similarly defied Hubert.

The difference from that day was Hubert’s reaction—

"I see."

Hubert smiled, not angry at all, instead looking at Andrew seriously, with admiration in his eyes, even a touch of kindness, "Little Andrew, I’ll give you a chance to return to my lab, how about it? Whether it’s Raymond or Pete, I know they must have died at your hands. You now possess a ’killing aura’ that you didn’t have before. You’re probably not even aware of it. But I can still overlook Raymond and Pete’s deaths. As long as you return to my lab, I’m willing to take you back as my student and even... pass on my legacy to you. What do you say?"

He spoke slowly, pausing occasionally, as if he needed to catch his breath to continue.

Once he finished, everyone present was stunned.

The Magic Apprentices holding torches were, needless to say, shocked.

Even Cook and Sally beside the old mage glanced over in surprise, "Teacher, you..."

Of course, the most surprised one was Andrew.

Staring at the old mage’s seemingly sincere, aged face, Andrew was more confused than ever about whether he was genuinely sincere or deceitful.

After a long silence, he quietly asked, "So, about Barbara..."

Hubert shook his head helplessly, "I know what you’re asking, but she’s someone the guild specifically requested. I’m merely following orders. Even the president of the Warm Fire Commerce Association couldn’t protect his daughter. However, I can assure you: she won’t die. The guild merely intends to invite her to the Scholar’s Fortress for a long stay, nothing else."

Andrew nodded, "I see." He seemed genuinely tempted and asked, "What about the camp residents—"

Hubert looked puzzled, "What about them?"

Andrew asked, "If I return to your lab as your student, what will happen to them?" He pointed to the camp residents behind him.

Facing Andrew’s question, Hubert became more puzzled, "What... does that have to do with you? Why would you care?"

The old mage shook his head, slowly saying, "Even if I mistook you, you possess the ’Hidden Fire Enchantment’, don’t you? So your magic is invisible. But in the end, you’ve mastered the power of Flame Magic; you’re one of us, no doubt about that.

As for them, they haven’t received the blessing and recognition of the flame! Crimes of harboring, aiding, and obstructing arrest... all these offenses combined, punishment is inevitable! Killing would suffice, but being banished from the town, exiled to the desert is a must. Whether they can escape the desolate beasts’ hunt depends on their fate.

And the owner of that tent must die." He glanced at the tent where Barbara, Aunt Sofia, and little Sophie were.

Unlike before with Lisa, Hubert’s tone now was one of indifference.

With a hint of persuasion, "Andrew, you’re still the same, with a bit too much ’commoner thinking’. I’ll let it pass this time, but don’t say such naive things in the future! Mercy for commoners is an insult to us noble Fire Mages! Remember this—"

He didn’t finish.

The many Magic Apprentices shouted angrily, "What are you doing?" "Andrew, what do you mean?!" "Refusing a toast only to drink punishment? What kind of gesture is that!?"

They saw Andrew silently raise a finger.

But it wasn’t from the Fingertip Series of magic.

It was a... middle finger.

"You don’t need to continue. Whether you’re sincere or not, I’ve heard enough of this bullshit."

Andrew’s face bore no smile now as he looked at Hubert, "I thought this world was sick, but I didn’t expect it to be worse than I imagined. I’ll say this only once, teacher and fellow students, listen carefully—"

Pausing, Andrew enunciated clearly, "——None of you will touch these people behind me!"

Suddenly.

A figure appeared beside Andrew.

Andrew was startled, turning to see that it was Grandfather Delin, the oldest member of the temporary camp, older than Hubert, swaying in the night breeze.